The Constellation shot forward, fusing with Starlight's body and causing his fog-like domain to gain a dark gold tint to it that sprung out four extra arms.
The dark star qi caused those who sensed it to shudder, even Ryu's pupils constricted.
This was a Dominion Grade Constellation, he was absolutely certain. But that should be impossible! Even Ryu himself was limited to using a Lineal Constellation because Lineal Constellations were the highest grade of Constellation that still utilized Immortal Qi, if he went any higher, he would have to assimilate Cosmic Qi which would likely cause his body to directly implode.
However, not only did Starlight not give a damn about this, he actually fused the Constellation with his body, a process that shouldn't even be possible.
Ryu didn't know what to think. These techniques should have been in Aika's hands, could it be that she had some sort of relationship with Starlight as well? That wasn't impossible. Ryu knew too little about the Radiant Star Sect, he had no idea what secrets they held or why such a powerful Sect with clearly powerful heritage was hidden away on the First Heaven.
However, he simply didn't have the time to think about it as one of Starlight's newly formed arms pressed forward lightly.
The movement didn't seem to have much energy behind it at all, and yet the oppressive pressure reached Ryu in an instant. It was as though he was touching him through the void, and though his spatial senses could pick up on this, his body wasn't fast enough to react.
Ryu felt a palm print appear on his chest. His ribcage was deformed, the organs beneath it being crushed and twisted, skewered through the very bones meant to protect it. Breathing suddenly felt like inhaling nails, but that was soon overwhelmed by the feeling of being sent flying backward.
Ryu coughed up a mouthful of blood, shards of flesh and bone following it as his vision nearly went black.
In that moment, he could finally sense Starlight's cultivation and it was funny enough to make him laugh.
Half-Step Path Extinction Realm. A full Realm beneath him. Even if Starlight's figure suddenly shimmered to reveal a toddler, Ryu would believe it.
A second palm appeared and descended with an unholy might. While the first seemed to have been incomparably gentle, this one left devastation in its wake, leaving tears through the void and space, crashing down like a flaming meteor. However, what was particularly shocking about this flaming meteor was that it was wreathed in flames that felt eerily similar to Mae's own, flames that could directly burn the soul.
BOOM!
The palm enveloped Ryu and swallowed him whole before retracting as though its job was done.
A mangled figure covered in dark gold flames was left behind. They licked across his body and dove into his carved-up flesh, seemingly wanting to devour him from the inside out.
Ryu coughed, slowly standing to his feet.
''Alright...'' he said lightly.
The flames continued to lick at him, but for some reason, they couldn't quite seem to catch on. In fact, as time passed, it was quite clear that they were growing weaker before they were entirely snuffed out, never to return.
Starlight's gaze narrowed. He hadn't expected Ryu's soul defenses to be so powerful. Unlike himself, Ryu hadn't relied on a treasure, he relied on his own abilities. But this was shocking enough. Considering Ryu's other talents, his soul couldn't be too impressive. His most shocking ability was definitely his bloodline, but Starlight wasn't moved by it.
For one, although Ryu seemed to have somehow gained the Lightning Qilin Bloodline, it was lacking in too many facets. He lacked the supporting Bone Structure or Soul. He couldn't cultivate a Beast Core so his Tribulation Lightning came from himself, and unless he had the Storm Talent, which would continue to be a fatal weakness.
Secondly, his Bloodline seemed to be one of the lowest grades of Lightning Qilin Bloodlines, so the boost to his bodily strength was likewise wholly limited. The fact Starlight could blast holes through his scales even when they were doubly protected with an Ice Inheritance spoke volumes.
Thirdly, humans with beast Bloodlines tended to suffer in other ways that didn't relate to being hunted down by the Beast Clans they stole the Bloodline from. For example, their soul talents and qi cultivation talent tended to take a huge hit, which was the reason it was so surprising that Ryu's soul talent was seemingly exceptional.
Regardless, Starlight didn't feel like being in any great rush. If Ryu's soul talent was so excellent, he wanted to preserve that for himself. In that case, it was in his best interest to not completely destroy Ryu's body. Plus, he wanted to see what other secrets Ryu might have and if there was anything else about him worth preserving...
A strong pulse of vitality exuded from Ryu's body, causing Starlight to sneer.
''No matter how good your healing factor is, there is no way you'll...''
Starlight's thoughts froze as he watched the beaten and mangled Ryu suddenly heal to over 50% in an instant. His pupils couldn't help but constrict into pinholes, nothing was making any sense. How could he heal from injuries caused by his Void Soul Dominion Grade Buddha Constellation?!
Ryu took deep breaths and looked into the skies.
''I don't like it...'' He mumbled to himself. ''...I don't like it at all.''
He was incredibly sensitive to certain things. He could see the shift in Starlight's thoughts, in his focus. He was treating him like a hobbling prey he could take down at any times, but he preferred to watch him bleed out instead due to the convenience.
And yet, despite his usual demeanor, Ryu wasn't infuriated by this.
Arrogance that stemmed from ignorance wasn't true arrogance. Ryu had never assumed that his talent was unsurpassable. He had always chased after this feeling, after this battle right here. If he had just assumed he was already the best, what good was telling himself that he was? As a pat to the back? As a nice warm cookie to soothe his belly?
What utter nonsense.
What he didn't like was that he had finally found what he was looking for, and yet he couldn't fight to his heart's content...
So he would.
Ryu looked down from the skies and met Starlight's gaze.
''Your strength will decide whether I die the moment I step foot out of this Heavenly Path or not. Or who knows, maybe it will decide if I die before even leaving this Heavenly Path at all. I would like to see how much you can force out of me, I want to see what a true genius of the True Martial World can do.
''Give me everything you have.''
Ryu's gaze sharpened and his aura flared.
''...Take form and conquer the world.''
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